arrive in Baya de los Angeles and decided to stop for dinner at a restaurant called Guillelmo. Matthew and I opted to camp on the beach while Lee took a room above the restaurant. I wondered into the kitchen and struck a conversation with the chef. It turned out that he was from Italy and in 1968 he travelled from Italy to India on a motorcycle. Lee and Matthew started a conversation with three couples from Arizona and they were traveling north so I asked them the condition of the road from Baya L.A to Santa Rosa. They informed us that a new road was completed last year and was in great shape. When I plotted the route with my usual method on Google Earth it was supposed to be all dirt. With this new information we took it easy the next morning. GUESS WHAT, the road was just as I expected. Only worse.
The road took us through the Egidio Desert. Deep sand, rocks,and dense cactus forest topped off the intense desert heat. What an experience ! After about 100 KM In this remote beautiful place I see Matthew in the distance on his knees next to the rear tire of his tire. In my mind I thought he had dropped the bike and was inspecting the damages. It turned out that he was trying to extinguish a fire. His rear brakes caliper was on fire. I wish I had a camera to show Matthew’s expression.
I never saw this happening in my life. Aluminum on fire.
Needless to say, driving through this challenging mountainous terrain is almost impossible. Lee and I were surprised how Matthew was able to drive his ” light ” BMW through this path. I was fully prepared to camp out in the middle of the desert as it was getting late and we were not be able to navigate the road in the dark. A crash on this road could mean the end of the trip. After 20 KM our “Angels” provide for a beautiful, one of a kind ranch in the middle of nowhere. We pull up to the gate and all is dark. Off in the distance we see a cowboy approaching the gate not certain on how we would be greeted. It turns out that Oscar, the owner of Ranch Escondido, is not only super friendly, but a great chef. As he is opening the gate with the flick of a switch the all Ranch was lit up with beautiful lights. We felt like we were on a Hollywood movie set. John Wayne eat your heart out.
From Italy helping children around the world on Motorcycles 
No, no worries. It is part of it and it is fantastic so far. 🙂
great story, surprising that this is even more difficult than Mongolia 🙂 be safe!
Wow Guys…What a road and Matthew those brakes must have been seriously overheated! Looks as though you were able to continue, though and finding the ranch in the middle of nowhere must have been such an enormous relief! Bet you enjoyed the dinner and well deserved rest. I was alos wondering why that hombre had 2 papas?
E’ la rivincita della KTM. Vamonos.
Your son is a riot Fred. Lots of fun.
Crazy Buggers! good luck on the road and be careful!
Bravo Roby! Portatevi due bistecche la prossima volta che le fate sui freni in fiamme del BMW! Vamos chicos!
che belle foto…xxx
What amazing photos and story!
Sorry why did that hombre have dos papas? What was that all about?
The only thing you guys are missing is a shit load of rain up here!
Halibut season opened up today, and after march 15 you can only keep up to a 60lb halibut.
Anything bigger you have to throw back, the derby will be hidden weight prizes. End of an era.
Glad to see Lees bike got fixed, what was wrong??? I am guessing Bad gas fuel line or filter plugged?
That is a great rancheria you guys wound up in. Ask if they have any meteorites for sale.
Mathew can cook thai food on those brake flames. COOL